Rent for a lease in Japan is typically paid by direct debit (for how you pay before direct debit starts, see Paying Rent Before Direct Debit Starts: How to Use a Payment Slip (Konbini Payment)). Using direct debit requires first opening a Japanese bank account. This article looks at how opening a bank account relates to your My Number (individual number).
- Getting rent set up for direct debit requires a Japanese bank account.
- Opening a bank account often requires providing your My Number (individual number), in addition to your residence card and residency certificate.
- Your My Number is issued by your municipality as a Notification Card or an Individual Number Card, after you file your move-in notification.
- Until the bank account and direct debit registration are both complete, you'll keep paying rent with a payment slip.
- Some banks set their own conditions, such as requiring a minimum remaining period of stay.
The Japanese Bank Account You Need for Direct Debit
To have rent withdrawn by direct debit, you need a Japanese bank account to withdraw from. Without a bank account, you can't even start the direct debit registration process, so it's worth opening one as early as possible after arriving in Japan.
How Opening a Bank Account Relates to Your My Number
When opening a bank account in Japan, banks often ask for your My Number (individual number) in addition to ID documents like your residence card and residency certificate. This is because more banks are now confirming My Number as part of complying with the My Number system.
How Your My Number Gets Issued
Your My Number is issued by your municipality as a "Notification Card" or an "Individual Number Card" (My Number Card) after you file a move-in notification where you live (the move-in notification procedure is covered in Municipal Procedures After Moving In: Registering Your Residence and Address). Because issuance takes some time, it's important to complete your move-in notification as soon as possible after arriving in Japan.
How Bank Account Timing Relates to Paying Rent
Until both the bank account and the direct debit registration are complete, you won't be able to pay rent by direct debit. During this period, you'll pay rent using the payment slip that arrives, at a convenience store or bank counter. The length of this period varies depending on how the process is going, so it's best to work through the steps one at a time without rushing.
Watch for Conditions That Vary by Bank
Some banks set their own conditions for opening an account, such as requiring a certain minimum period of stay remaining. If your period of stay is short, the number of banks where you can open an account may be limited, so it's reassuring to check the conditions at a few different banks in advance.
FAQ
Can I not open a bank account without a My Number?
It depends on the bank and your situation, but many banks do ask for a My Number. After filing your move-in notification, it's worth checking on the status of your My Number issuance early.
How do I pay rent until direct debit registration is complete?
Until registration is complete, you'll pay using the payment slip at a convenience store or bank counter. See "Paying Rent Before Direct Debit Starts" for more detail.
Can I not open a bank account if my period of stay is short?
Some banks set conditions, such as requiring a certain minimum period of stay remaining. It's reassuring to check with the bank where you'd like to open an account in advance.
Summary
Getting rent set up for direct debit starts with opening a Japanese bank account. Because opening an account often requires a My Number, it's worth checking on your My Number issuance status soon after filing your move-in notification, so you can move smoothly toward completing your direct debit registration.